Friday, October 28, 2011

I Eat Violets

The print shown is from an engraving by Canu in 1815. Copies were circulated among the supporters of the exiled Emperor.

They would toast,"Corporal Violet."

During the exile of Napoleon I at Elba, in the year 1814, preceding Napoleon's abdication, the French Bonapartists chose, as their emblem, the violet because of the Capitulation of Paris. They nicknamed Napoleon "Caporal Violet, the little flower that returns with spring". Postcards picturing a bunch of innocent looking violets soon flooded France, but when scrutinized closely, the violets in the bouquet revealed the outlines of portraits of Napoleon, Marie Louise and of their three year old son, Charles, King of Rome. The French government fought, by decree on and off, until the year 1874 any reproduction of a violet because it was the symbol of the Bonapartists.

Author Unknown

Did you know Chopin loved violets

and when he died of tuberculosis

his close friend and female novelist {George Sand}

found every violet she could in Paris and covered his grave with them.

Zeus wasn't the only philanderer who sent violets to his wife. Napoleon Bonaparte's wife Josephine loved the flowers. She wore them on her wedding day, and Napoleon (who wasn't the most faithful husband on record) sent her a bouquet of purple violets every year on their anniversary. Napoleon adopted the plant as his political emblem, and when he was banished to Elba, he promised to "return with the violets." While he was in exile, his followers persisted in wearing the flower as an emblem of their own faithfulness, even after a law was passed against it. And after Waterloo, Napoleon reportedly visited Josephine's grave, picked a few violets he found growing there, and kept them in a locket he wore until his own death.

I adore the perfume! When I was a little girl, there was a violet patch, rows of them, behind our house and, if I went missing, Mum would know where to find me, lying in the violet patch. Mother would wear a little sprig in her suit buttonhole going to Church.

I didn't know that my favourite composer, Chopin, loved them and the story of Napoleon and his locket touched me.

I used to eat those sweets when I was little....they were called Parma Violets over here.I think that the flower, violet, is so pretty and, I love the fact that you wear the perfume. It's not 'old lady' at all and it's your signature Renée. XXXX

I am happy that the perfumearrived, Wear it in good health, remember I love you. Those candies gave me a flash back of your Grandmother. She also hada silk bunch she would wear on her suit or hat. No one makes thosepretty silk flowers with a pin on the back. It really gave a smart touch.Enjoy the perfume, Mamma xxxx

violets have been far from my mind until this post and then wonderful memories of my grandmother came flooding back; violets also on the windowsill, a violet flowered apron and those candies! thanks reneedebra

Monin, the French company that makes the flavored syrups they use in coffee????? They make a violet... I bought some..... It even looks good in my kitchen.... Why not??? Everyghint is violet or Figue! right now...... Maryanne xoInteresting about Napoleon...

My favourite chocolatier does a Violet Cream. A divine, delicate soft centre redolent of violets enrobed in quality dark, dark chocolate. Topped off with a sweet crystallized edible violet flower. OMG Renee, this post is going to get me into a lot of trouble!Millie xxP.S. Don't forgot that purple is considered the colour of healing.